Jesús Barquín: Golden yellow. Forward, expressive nose, resembling a sweet wine. Dry but not bone-dry palate, spicy, oaky, good acidity, and creamy vanilla finish. Distinctive and different, very intense. 89

Andrew Jefford: A fuller gold; liquid bullion. Rather heavy, overt aromas... But I’m discussing this with myself, and I’m saying, “Wait, wait, don’t dismiss, this is fun, this is rich, this is rewarding, this comes from the land where they understand as well as any how oxygen can help develop and build a wine... (But if you’re looking for a Moorish Haut-Brion, this isn’t quite it).” The palate delivers exactly what the aromas promised: a wine of lavish, baroque fullness in which air and wood have played an ample part, and subtle, teased fruits have disappeared, gone under. But, yes, it is fun. 83

Richard Mayson: Deep straw in color; fully mature, rather rustic, smoky character on the nose with no primary fruit left to speak of; rich, savory, and toasty on the palate, singed toast mid-palate yet showing real depth and length on the finish. This is not a style of wine I especially like, but it has real personality and articulacy. 89